I think I might have to upgrade or move out...

[Isaac]

I need SSH access because I think that's the only way to install the functions i need to interface Python with MySQL.

The cost would be $45 a year, which I think is really good, after looking around. Right now I'm only paying $10 a year and I have Python 2.3. That's pretty good compared to other hosts I've looked at.

I've also been with this host for a while, but recently he's been pretty rude to me and doesn't seem to read my questions completely. I'm trying to stay on his good side because he's in control of my domain name at the moment. (yeah I'm ******* stupid, but you all know that)

To be honest, I don't care about my domain name. I only use my site to practice coding.

Is there a better place on the net for someone that wants to practice javascript and python with databases, besides my linux netbook?

[fliptw]

what you are practicing doesn't need a domain name, so a netbook by itself would work quite well.

what you are doing now is testing with a production website, which is a bad idea.

[Isaac]

what you are practicing doesn't need a domain name, so a netbook by itself would work quite well.

what you are doing now is testing with a production website, which is a bad idea.

But I can build something and have people on forums test it out, with out people having to install my code. It's great. Also, py and cgi files execute correctly on the server and spit out html. My netbook would need lots of extra stuff installed to do the same.

I'm still trying to figure out the "bad idea" part, you mentioned.

[fliptw]

Ponder this: the software you are using is free.

you are already paying for internet, so just port forward to your machine when you want them to test something, or even scrounge up an old machine and use that as your server.

Or pay more for a web server. Remember, what you are doing is nothing more than a vanity site.

[Isaac]

This is something I should know how to do already...

[Krom]

My current ISP blocks port 80, but I used to run my own personal web server out of my basement (hosted some phpbb forums for the teams I was on even). It isn't difficult to do, although you will likely have to use a non-standard port but that isn't much of a problem and aside from the power to run the computer its no extra cost.

[Sirius]

I'm still trying to figure out the "bad idea" part, you mentioned.

In your case it doesn't really matter - just if you were working on something you cared to keep available constantly (such as a BB) you wouldn't want to run the risk of taking your site offline because you broke something.

[Isaac]

I'm still trying to figure out the "bad idea" part, you mentioned.

In your case it doesn't really matter - just if you were working on something you cared to keep available constantly (such as a BB) you wouldn't want to run the risk of taking your site offline because you broke something.

Yeah. No one ever goes to my site except for a few lost people and me.

My current ISP blocks port 80, but I used to run my own personal web server out of my basement (hosted some phpbb forums for the teams I was on even). It isn't difficult to do, although you will likely have to use a non-standard port but that isn't much of a problem and aside from the power to run the computer its no extra cost.

I have no plans to run a dedicated server in this stage of my life. I'm a couch crasher going to college. Maybe after I graduate... I also don't know if I can do this through the school's wifi... they might have a block like your ISP.

[Jeff250]

What do you mean that they're in control of your domain? If *you* own the domain through your current host, you should be able to transfer it to another company. If *they* for some reason own it, you're probably screwed. You've also stumbled upon something that I didn't start heeding until recently... keep your domain company and hosting company separate. It costs a bit extra, but it saves pointless trouble in the long run.

If you're really interested in shopping for a new host, you should find someone who officially supports django (or whatever your framework of choice is) while you're at it. Not only will this give you django/whatever support, but this will imply ssh and a non-archaic python, which is useful if you never want to use django/whatever.

[Isaac]

Jeff, for all of that, I think the Google Apps Engine is the best hosting service. The funny thing is, I no one on any forums I visit seems to have used them.

[Thenior]

GoGrid, VPS.net and Rackspace are all great servers. If you're cheap, I like Rackspace the most. They charge you hourly based on the speed of server you run - if you run it for less than an hour, it's free. What is nice is you can take a snapshot of the server, then shut it off.

[Jeff250]

I've heard good things about webfaction for their django hosting. I recently got an account with them, but I haven't really done anything with it yet (it would be for some php code anyways).

[Isaac]

Thanks you guys. So far those look more expensive than my current host.

I don't want to come off as rude, but I really want to know why you guys aren't all switching over to Google App Engine for hosting?

Price seems to win.
Price plan seems to win.
Processing power seems to win.
Database scaling seems to win.

I'm the only one on the forum that has ever mentioned it, so I have to wonder, what's wrong with it?

[Krom]

Mostly because when we really wanted to host something for a test/hobby we just did it ourselves (not constrained by a college NAT). It's cheaper, faster if you have the hardware for it, and you can get away with pretty much anything in your testing including cranking the CPU at 100% for days on end if you wanted to.

[Jeff250]

I don't know much about Google App Engine. Looking over the list, probably what turns off a lot of people is a lack of php support.

[fliptw]

Scaling is not automatic - you need to design an app to run on x servers(and consider what happens things start failing) - not just a single server.

Its like taking a job at a nuclear power plant and the only work experience you have is inserting batteries.

isaac, you've barely started taking the batteries out of the package.

running your own server, even on your netbook, is a lot better way to learn than throwing yourself at webscale.

[Isaac]

Ok, after going over everyone's posts and watching a video on talking pigs, I've decided to play with the standard MySQL that's in the repos (wtf... It's already installed...). I'm going to also figure out why my browser can't run CGI files the same way on my computer as they do on a web server. This is probably where apache comes in.

Once I know how all the parts work I'll dig up the old pent 4 400MHZ desktop (my only desktop) and install a linux distro with no graphic interface. I've never done that, but it should work... Then I'll force it on the internet...

[AceCombat]

pent 4 400MHZ desktop (my only desktop)

just being funny here..... but ive never heard of a 400Mhz P4

[Isaac]

Oopps... Pentium 2.

Pentium 2 pentium 4... same thing

[AceCombat]

LOL!!